FEELING PRETTY LUCKY

Q People are probably forgetting now how good a player you were. Do you reflect on the highlights?

A Not really. It was a few years ago. I was lucky to have the career I did. I had some wonderful experiences and that’s part of what’s great about our game. I’m just really thankful and lucky in that respect.

Q What do you think has made you so highly regarded as an NRL coach in a short time? Why did you get into coaching?

A I’ve been lucky to be at some good clubs. They’re well run, fairly stable, some really good people work in them, so I’ve been able to put some good people around me and having good players always helps as well. I think the game has been pretty good to me. I think it was an opportunity possibly to give a bit back and help some young guys achieve what they want to achieve. When I was playing, when I had a good coach that always brought the best out in me because I enjoyed that, so for me it’s about trying to do that for those young guys, and older guys for that matter.

Q Do you think the game has changed much since you played? What lessons have transferred over?

A It has definitely changed. The professionalism now ... the level of planning and just the overall work that goes into putting a football program together is a lot more professional from a resources point of view and I think the coaches have a lot more information at their disposal now. I think once I learnt about how to prepare as best I could, that’s when I thought I played my best footy, so I tried to carry that into my coaching and I think whenever I’ve done that well I’ve enjoyed success in my life, no matter what part of life that is.